Ingredients

Directions

2 of Everything Icing directions:

In KA mixer (best) mix together butter and shortening for at least 5 minutes. Add about 1/3 of the sugar; mix 5-10 minutes; add another 1/3 of the sugar, along with the flavoring, mixing 5 minutes; add the remaining sugar and mix 5-10 minutes until smooth.
There is NO liquid needed in this recipe.
Flavorings can be *ANY!* combination you want. What I used mostly is: 1 part vanilla; 1/2 part butter flavoring and 1/4 part almond. A "Part" can be any measure you want. Do you make many, many cakes? Mix it up by the cupfull; OR if for only one cake/icing use teaspoons as the 'part'/measure.
Don't like almond? Use lemon OR orange OR whatever you want. But, please do try it as stated at least once:)
I had a friend who didn't like almond but after trying it once just added an additional 1/4 tsp lemon and was happy w/it.
Want this icing to crust? Reduce either the butter OR the shortening by 1 cup OR reduce *both* by 1/2 cup.

i use royal to pipe a scroll or other thin lined design onto buttercream. i like the contrast and find that it's a little more durable than buttercream against the heat of my hands, and mistakes are easier to fix, as well.

Pre made royal decorations usually do o.k. One can raise it off the b'cream slightly so it won't actually touch the b'cream (much) which helps.

I have used some royal items and some do o.k. others don't. Small, thin flowers (like apple blossoms etc) tend to soften a bit and white ones can discolor but they won't melt into a puddle :) Roses do just fine. See the difference between roses & blossoms - how roses are thick and blossoms are thin?